Vacuum-tank.



c, E. BRADBURY.

VACUUM TANK.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I8, nus.

Pair-111ml Apr. 22, 1919.

, Zia/@7115? (32 70115 0. Bradbury CLIFFORD C. BRADBURY, 01 OAK PARK, ILLINOIS.

VACUUM-TANK.

' Application filed April 18, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, Cmrronn C. Baaneonx, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oak Park, in the county ofCookand State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and vacuum tanks and is especially concerned with tanks of this character which are used in connection with systems in which suction produced by the carbureter or by some other means is employed for raising fuel from a, main supply tank, which lies at a lower level than the carbureter, to a tank which lies at a higher level than the carbureter. Such systems are well known and further detailed explanation thereof at this time is believed to be unnecessary. These tanks usually comprise two cham- V bers separated by a partition having an aperture therethrough and a valve for closing said aperture when suction is applied to one of said chambers. These tanks further comprise means controlled by the level of the fuel in the upper chamber for. connecting the upper chamber with the source of suction when the fuel in this chamber falls'to a certain predetermined level, and for cutting off the suction from the chamber when, due to the suction, sufficient fuel has been forced intothe chamber, to raise the fuel to a certain predetermined high level. It is also common practice to provide meansconnec'ted with the lower or storage receptacle to permit expansion of the fuel therein without permitting any of the fuel to escape from the suction tank. It is the object of my invention to improve the general structure and efiiciency of tanks of the character described above, and to effect economies in manufacture by first providing a novel structure for affording an expansion chamber in the top of the suction receptacle; second, to provide a novel valve structure for alternately connecting the suction chamber with atmosphere and a. source of suction; third, to provide a novel float controlled valve actuating mechanism for operating the valve referred to above; and fourth, to provide a novel valve structure for controlling communication between the suetion and storage reservoirs.

The above and other objects are accom- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 22, 1919.

Serial No. 229,347.

plished by means of the structure illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of my improved tank structure;

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail view taken on a plane at right angles to the plane of Fig. 1, showing the details of the connection between the storage receptacle and the expansion chamber;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail showing the means for sealin the expansion chamber from the suction c amber;

Fi 4 is a sectional detail view taken on the line 4-4 of Figs. 1 and 5;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the construction of my improved valve operating mechanism.

All the sections are taken looking in the direction of the small arrows and similarletters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, reference character 10 indicates the suction receptacle, the open end of which is provided with an out- \vardly extending flange 11. The reference character 12 indicates the lower or storage receptacle, the open end of which is likewise provided with an outwardly extending flange 13. These two receptacles are separated by a partition 14 the edge of which is clamped between the flanges 11 and 13 by means of bolts 15 or any other suitable d4:-

vices. Gaskets 16 ma be interposed be tween the flanges and t e edge of the partition.

An inwardly extending circumferential bead 17 is provided adjacent the closed end of the suction receptacle to form an abutment for the downwardly flanged edge 18, of the plate 19. The late 19 is secured in sealing relation with thebead 17 by reason of its screwthreaded engagement with the inner screwthreaded end of the valve body 20, which is provided with a shoulder 21 resting against the outer side of the closed end of the suction receptacle. A look nut 22 prevents rotation of the plate 19. The space between the plate 19 and the end of the suction receptacle provides an expansion chamher which is in communication with the upper end of the storage receptacle 12 through the small tube 23. If desired, a gasket 2-1 may be interposed between the flanged edge 18 of the plate 19 and the bead 17 in order to insure a suflicient-ly tight joint between the expansion chamber and the suction receptacle. The T couplin 25 extends through the closed end of t e suction receptacle and has screw-threaded engagement with an aperture in the plate 19. This T- coupling provides means for connecting the vacuum tank with the main supply tank, which, as is well known in systems of this kind, is located at a lower level than the vacuum tank and the fuel in which is subjected to atmospheric ressure- A baffle plate 26 provides means or throwing the incoming fuel against the side of the chamber for a purpose which will be referred to later on. A plug 27 in the outer end of the T-coupling permits inspection and cleaning of this part of the apparatus. It should be noted that the opening in the closed end of th suction receptacle through which the T-couplin extends, is of greater diameter than the %'-coupling. This permits atmospheric pressure to be exerted upon the fuel in the storage receptacle through the expansion chamber and the tube 23.

The valve body 20 is provided with a valve chamber 28 having the oppositely disposed valve seats 29 and 30. A duct 31 formed in the valve body furnishes communication between the atmosphere and the valve chamber 28 and opens into the latter chamber through the valve seat 29. A second duct 32 formed in the valve body establishes communication between the interior of the suction receptacle and the valve chamber 28. A third duct 33 of restricted area opens into the valve chamber 28 through the valve seat 30, and the other end thereof communicates with the coupling member 34, which is adapted to be connected with the source of suction. The valve 35 is provided with upper and lower faces which alternately co-act with the valve seats 29 and 30 respectively to control the flow of air through the ducts 31, 32 and 33. When the valve is in its uppermost position the suction receptacle is connected with the source of suction, and when in its lowermost position the suction receptacle is connected to the atmosphere. The valve 35 is provided with a stem 36 which extends longitudinally through the valve body 20 and into the suction receptacle.

The means for actuating the valve 35 comprises a float lever formed by the two arms 37 which are connected at their upper ends by the bridge 38. This float lever is pivotally mounted upon the bracket 39, which is secured to the plate 19. The bracket 39 has two depending arms, only one of which is shown, which extend downwardly and through which the pintle 40, about which the float lever oscillates, extends.

The lower ends of the arms forming the float lever are provided with hooks 41 which engage beneath a wire loop 42 secured to the float 43. The valve lever 44 is provided at one end with laterally projecting pins 45 which are received in slots 46 in the upper sides of the arms 37. The op )osite end of the valve lever is provided with a slot 48 which receives the reduced portion 49 of the valve stem. The shoulders formed at each end of the reduced portion 49 act as abutments for the slotted end of the valve lever to actuate the valve in opposite directions when the valve lever 44 moves in opposite directions. A tension spring 50 has one end secured to the valve lever as shown at 51, at a point intermediate the ends of said lever. The opposite end of the sprin 50 is shown as being secured to the pintle 0.

In the operation of this part of m invention, when the float 43 rises from t to position shown in Fig. 1, due to the ingress of fuel through the coupling 25, it pushes upwardly upon the lower ends of the ,arms 37 forming part of the float lever and thereby carries the end of the float lever 44 provided with the pins 45 upwardly. This movement continues until the pins 45 are carried past the line joining the points to which the ends of the sprin 50 are secured, whereupon the tension of tie spring 50 causes the slotted end of the valve lever to move downwardly and thereby allow the valve to drop. If for any reason the valve should stick. the end of the lever engages the stop 52 at the lower end of the valve stem and forces the valve downwardly. This movement of the valve connects the suction receptacle with the atmosphere and shuts off the suction therefrom. As the level of the fuel in the receptacle 10 drops, the float 43 moves downwardly and carries the pins 45 downwardly through the line connecting the two ends of the spring and the tension of the spring causes the slotted end of the valve lever to suddenly move upwardly and engage the lower end of the enlarged portion of the valve stem to move the valve upwardly, whereby the suction receptacle is again placedin communication with the source of suction and ,the

duct leading to atmosphere is closed. The reduction in pressure in the receptacle 10 thereupon causes a new supply of fuel to enter through the coupling 25 and the operation described above is repeated. Since the storage receptacle 12 is always subjected to atmospheric pressure through the tube 23, the expansion chamber and the o ning about the inner end of the T-coup ing 25, it is necessary to seal the connection between the storage receptacle and the suction receptacle whenever the suction'receptacle is connected with the source of suction; Otherwise no reduction of pressure could be obtained in the suction receptacle.

In the preferred embodiment of'my invention the tube 53 which extends through the opening in the partition 14 is provided with an annular groove 54, which receives the V-shaped projections 55 of the four spring arms 56, which form part of a clip 57 for holding a disk valve 58 adjacent to the lower end of the tube 53. When the storage receptacle 12 is empty and it is desired to fill the tank by means of the suction produced by removing air through the duct 33, it is desirable to rovide some means to assist in closing the disk valve 58 against the lower end of the tube 53. Otherwise it would be impossible with a comparatively slight suction to remove the air from the storage receptacle 10 as fast as it would flow into this rece tacle through the lower end of the tube 53. To accomplish this result I rovi'de a priming cup 59 which is seem to the clip 57 bra rivet 60 or in any other suitable manner, and the upper end of which extends above the lower end of the tube 53. In case the tank is being used for the first time it is necessary tointroduce a suflicient quantity of gasolene into the tank to fill the priming cup 59. This can be accomplished y removing the cap 27 and pouring the oil in through this opening. When the receptacle 10 is then connected with the source of suction the movement of the fuel upwardly through the lower end of the tube 53 1s sufli eient to carry the valve 58 with it and thereby close the lower end of the tube 53.

The lower side of the that 43 is provided with a guide stem 61 which extends through an apertured guide 63. This ide 63 is formed from a strip of metal w ich is bent intermediate its ends and the larger and of which is provided with an aperture'for receiving the up er end of the tube 53. The upper end of t is tube is then flanged over, as shown at 64, to secure the guide 63 and the tube 53 to the partition 14. The reference character 65 indicates the discharge from thestorage receptacle which may be controlled by a suitable valve 66.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The combination with a suction receptacle having an outwardly flanged 0 on end and an inwardly extendin circum erential bead adjacent its closed en of a storage receptacle having an outwardly flanged open end, a partition provided with a central aperture, means for clambi ng the flanged edges of said receptacles together with said partition therebetween. a valve body providcd with a valve chamber and a screw threaded inner end projecting through the closed end of said suction receptacle, substantially centrally thereof, a plate having its edge in scalin r relation with said bead, and provided with means for clamping the central portion thereof to the inner end of said valv body, the opposite sides of said valve chamber being provided with opposed valve seats, a valve having faces for alternately co-acting with said valve seats and a stem extending through said valve body and into said suction receptacle, a float lever pivotally mounted upon said late, a float pivotally supported upon said float lever, a valve lever having one end pivotally mounted upon saidfloat lever adjacent the pivot point thereof, the other end of said valve lever havin a lost motion connection with said valve stem, and a tension spring having one end secured to said valve lever intermediate its ends and the other end thereof secured adjacent the pivot point of the float lever, the said valve body being provided with a duct for establishing communication be tween the atmosphere and one of said valve seats, a second duct for establishing communication between the other valve seat and a source of suction, 'and'being provided with a third duct for establishing communication between the said valve chamber and said suction receptacle.

2. The combination with a suction rece tacle having an 0 en end and an inwardly extendin circum erential bead adjacent its closed en of astorage receptacle having an open end, a partition provided with an aperture, means for clamping the ends of said receptacles together with said partition tberebetween, a valve body provided with a valve chamber, and a screwthreaded inner end projecting throu h the closed end of said suction reoeptac e, aplate having its edge in sealing relation with saidbead, and prpvided with means for clamping it to the inner end of said valve bod the opposite sides of said valve chamber eing provided with o posed valve seats, a valve having tubes or alternately co-actin with said valve seats and a stem ext/en mg through saidvalve body and into said suction receptacle, a float lever ivotally mounted upon said plate a float plvotally supported upon said oat ever, a valve lever having one end pivotal] mounted upon said float lever adjacent t e pivot point thereof, the other end of said valve lever having a lost motion connection with said valve stem, and a tension spring having one end secured to said valve lever intermediate its ends and the other end thereof secured adjacent the pivot point of .the float lever, the said valve body being provided with a duct for establishing communication between the atmosphere and one of said valve seats, a second duct for establishing communication between the other valve seat and a source of suction, and being provided with a third duct for establishing communication between the said valve chamber and said suction receptacle.

3. In a vacuum tank the combination with a suction receptacle and a storage receptacle, of means for establishing communicasaid receptacle tion between said receptacles comprising a valve, means on the inside of and co-actmg with the closed end of said suction receptacle for forming an expansion chamber open to atmosphere, and means for establishing communication between the upper end of said storage receptacle and said expansion chamber.

4. In a vacuum tank the combination with a suction receptacle having an open end and a closed end, and provided with an inwardly extending portion adjacent its closed end, of a plate having its peri hery in sealing contact with said inwardly extending portion and forming an expansion chamber between the closed end of said suction receptacle and said plate, a storage receptacle, and means for establishing communication between the upper end of said storage receptacle and said expansion chamber.

5. A vacuum tank comprising a suction receptacle having a closed end and a circumferential inwardly extending rib formed adjacent the closed end thereof, a valve bod extending through the closed end of sa-i receptacle, a plate provided with an aperture for receiving the inner end of; said valve body and having its periphery in sealing contact with said rib to form an ex pansion chamber between the closed end of and said plate, and means for securing said plate to said valve body to lock the periphery of the plate vagainst said rib.

6. A vacuum tank comprising a suction receptacle and a storage receptacle, both having outwardly flanged open ends, a partition, means for clamping the flanged ends of the receptacles together with the partition therebetween, the said suction receptacle being provided with an inwardly extending circumferential rib adjacent its closed end, a plate, means for clamping said plate against one side of said rib to iorm an expansion chamber between said plate and the closed end of said suction receptacle, and means for establishing communication between said storage receptacle and said expansion chamber.

7. In a vacuum tank, a suction rece tacle havin an open end and .a closed en and provi ed with an inwardly extending portion adjacent its closed end, and means coacting with the closed end ofsaid suction receptacle to form an expansion chamber sealed from said suction receptacle comprising a plate and'means for securing said late to said receptacle with its periphery 1n sealing contact with said inwardly extending portion.

8. In a vacuum tank the combination with a suction receptacle of a valve body secured thereto and provided with passages for alternately connecting the suction rece tacle with the atmosphere, and a source 0 suction, a single valve for controlling the flow of air throu h said passages, the said valve being provi ed with a valve stem extend-' ing through said valve body and into said suction rece tacle, a float lever ivotally mounted wit in said receptacle, a ilbat supported by said float lever, a valve lever havmg one endthereof pivotally mounted upon the float lever adjacent the pivot oint of said float lever and having the ot or end connected with the said valve stem by a lost motion connection, and a tension spring having one end secured to said valve lever intermediate the ends of said valve lever and the other end secured to said receptacle adjacent the pivot point of said float lever. 9. In a vacuum tank the combination with a suction receptacle of a valve body secured thereto and provided with passages for alternately connecting the suction receptacle with the atmosphere and a source of suction, a single valve for controllin the flow of air through said plassages, t c said valve being rovidedwit a valve stem extendin throug said valve body and into sai suction rece tacle, a float lever ivotally mounted wit in said receptacle, a oat suported by said float lever, a valve lever havmg one end thereof pivotally mounted upon the float lever adjacent the pivot point of said float lever and having the other end connected with the said valve stem, and'a tension spring having one end secured to said valvelever intermediate the ends of said valve lever, and the other end secured to said receptacle adjacent the pivot point of said float lever.

.10. In a vacuum tank the combination with a suction receptacle of a valve body extending thereinto and provided with pas sages for alternately connecting said suction receptacle with the atmos here and a source of suction, a single valve or controlling the flow of air through said passages, provided with a stem projecting into said receptacle, a valve lever for actuatin said valve having,one end thereof loose y connected with said valve stem, a spring havingfone end connected intermediate the ends" of said valve lever and the other end supported at a fixed point, a float in said rece tacle, and means controlled b said float or moving the other end of said valve lever from one side to the other of the axis of said spring in order to move said valve stem in opposite directions.

11. In a vacuum tank the combination with a suction receptacle of a valve body extending thereinto and provided'with passages for alternately connectin said suction rece tacle with the atmosp ere and a source 0 suction, a valve for controlling the flow of air through said passages provided with a stem projecting into and rc ceptucle, a valve lever for actuating said valve having one end thereof connected with said valve stem, a spring having one end connected intermediate the ends of said valve lever and the other end supported at a fixed point, a float in said receptacle, and means controlled by said float for moving the other end of said valve lever from one side to the other of the axis of Said spring in order to move said valve stem in opposite directions.

12. In a vacuum tank, the combination with a suction receptacle provided with a portion having passages for alternately connecting said suction receptacle with the atmosphere, and a source of suction, of a valve for controlling the flow of air through said passages, provided with a valve stem extending into said receptacle, a valve lever for actuating said va ve having one end thereof connected with said valve stem, a spring having one end connected intermediate the ends of said valve lever and the other end supported at a fixed point, a float in said receptacle, and means controlled by said float for moving the other end of said valve lever from one side to the other of the axis of said spring, whereby the valve stem is moved in opposite directions.

13. In a vacuum tank the combination of a suction receptacle, a storage receptacle, a partition separating said receptacles and provided with a central aperture, a tube secure to said partition and extending downwarcly from said aperture, the lower end of said tube being provided with an annular groove, a disk valve for closing the lower end of said tube, and means for supporting said disk valve in coacting relation with said tube comprising a clip having a plurality of spring arms provided with projections for engaging in said annular groove, and a priming cu'p secured to said clip and extending upwardly around the lower end of said tube.

14. In a vacuum tank the combination of a suction receptacle, a storage receptacle, a partition separating said receptacles and provided with a central aperture, a tube secured to said partition and extending downwardly from said aperture, the lower end of said tube being provided with an annular groove, a disk valve for closing the lower end of said tube, and means for supporting said disk valve in coacting relation with said tube comprising a clip having a plurality of spring arms provided with projections for engaging in said annular groove.

15. In a vacuum tank the combination of a suction receptacle, a storage receptacle, a partition separating said receptacles and provided with a central aperture, a tube secured to said partition and extending downwardly from said aperture, a disk valve for closing the lower end of said tube, means for supporting said disk valve 'in coacting relation with said tube, and a priming cup inclosing said disk valve and extending upwardly around the lower end of said tube, the said priming cup being supported by said tube.

16. In a vacuum tank the combination of a suction receptacle, a storage receptacle, a partition separating said receptacles and provided with a central aperture, a tube secured to said partition and extending downwardly from said aperture, a disk valve for closing the lower end of said tube, means for supporting said disk valve in coacting relation with said tube, and a priming cup inclosing said disk valve and extending upwardly around the lower end of said tube, the top of said priming cup lying below the top of said storage receptacle.

A vacuum tank comprising a suction receptacle, a plate secured adjacent the closed end of said suction receptacle having its edges in sealing contact with the walls of said suction receptacle to form a chamber between the closed end of said receptacle and said plate, a fuel inlet connection extending loosely through the closed end of said receptacle and secured to said plate, the said plate bein provided with an aperture registering with the bore of said inlet connection, and a deflector positioned to cause the fuel discharged from said inlet connection to be discharged against the wall of said suction receptacle.

18. A vacuum tank comprisin a suction receptacle, a plate secured a acent the closed end of said suction receptacle having its edges in sealing contact with the walls of said suction receptacle to form a chamber between the closed end of said receptacle and said plate, and a fuel inlet connection extending loosely through the closed end of said receptacle and secured to said plate, the said plate being provided with an aperture registering with the bore of said inlet connection.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 15th day of April, 1918.

CLIFFORD C. BRADBURY.

Witnesses:

ALVIN O. AHLBERG, LAMAR MIDDLETON. 

